Folding pocket-rule



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PERCIVAL W. SHEPHARD, EAST LIBERTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

FOLDING POCKET-RULE.

sPEcIEIcATIoN forming part of Letters Patent No. 503,008, dated August 8, 1893.

Application iilecl January 17, 1893. Serial IIa/158,699. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PERCIVAL W. SHEP- HARD, of East Liberty, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pocket-Rules and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in pocket rules; and it consists in the novel application of springs to its joints as will be more fully described hereinafter, and especially referred to in the claims. A

The object of my invention is to provide an improved rule in which its several hinged sections will be prevented from closing when opened out or opening when closed by their own inclination by thel application of a spring,

Referring to the accompanying drawings. Figure l is an elevation of my improved rule shown partly in section. Fig. 2 is an edge view of the same. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detached view of one of the hinges.

The center hinge of the rule consists of the member A,secured to rule section B,and which is formed with the circular projecting ears C, of usual form. The end of the rule section B, is recessed on its outer edge as shown at D, and secured in the rear end thereof is the iiat spring E, the outer end of which extends between the ears C, and into the path traveled by the circular head F, which is preferably secured to rule section G, by projections H, extending therefrom into the end of the said rule section where they are riveted as shown. This head is pivoted between ears C, in the usual manner. The periphery of the head is formed with recesses I, and J, the former being engaged bythe spring E, when the rule sections are closed thus holding them from opening of their own volition while the recess J, is similarly engaged by the end of the spring when the rule is open for use, thus making substantially a rigid measuring stick.

The end members K, of the rule are hinged 5o to the sections B, and G, by hinges L, of ordinary construction. The outer sides of each of the sections B,-and G, are recessed and confined in these recesses are the fiat springs M, the free ends of which engage head N, made rigid with the ends of sections K. The heads thus turn with the said section and each head is formed with two iiat surfaces O, and P, upon which surfaces the ends of the springs bear down whenthe said sections are opened and closed respectively thus preventing them from swinging freely on their'hinges as they do in the ordinary rule to the great annoyance of the person employing the same. Any manner of securing the head to the section end may be employed, but I prefer to pass the rivet Q, of the hinge therethrough while at the same time the head being formed with a small slot R, is engaged by the end of the hinge section as shown thus preventing the head from turning on the said pivot.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I 4claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- A 1. In a rule the combination of the adjacent sections,'a hinge connecting their adjacent ends, circular head N concentric with the turning point of the hinge and formed with surfaces O, P, on opposite sides of its center, and spring M carried by one of Athe sections which at its free end is adapted to engage the said flat surfaces, substantially as shown and described.

2. 'In a rule, the combination of the adjacent sections, pivotal pin Q for connecting their adjacent ends, head N mounted concentrically on said pin and formed with notch R which is engaged by the end of one of the sections therebypreventing the head from turning on said pin, fiat surfaces O and P on said head and spring M carried by one of the rule sections and adapted to engage at its free end the said surfaces, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I aftix my signature in presence of two witnesses. f

PEEcIvAL w. sIIEPIIARD.

Witnesses: Y

SAMUEL MoCLAY, GEORGE E. SHAW. 

